Additional Sandbag Volunteers Needed in Winnipeg

Manitoba is now in the middle of the second biggest flood in 100 years, according to the provincial flood forecast on Wednesday. That means more needs to be done to secure at-risk properties, especially throughout Winnipeg.

The Province of Manitoba this afternoon revised its flood forecast upward from a crest of 21.8 to 22.6 feet James for the Red River within the City of Winnipeg.

“As a precaution, the flood protection efforts that we calculated yesterday were based on a level of 22.5 James,” said Grant Mohr, Land Drainage and Flood Protection Engineer for the City of Winnipeg. “Therefore, our flood protection measures accommodate this revised forecast.”

River levels have been rising very quickly, and are expected to reach 22.2 feet James tomorrow, and 22.6 feet James by the weekend.

Efforts continued today to protect the at-risk properties in north and central Winnipeg due to the higher than anticipated water levels on our rivers and tributaries.

The response from volunteers has been tremendous. More than 800 individuals, including a number of schools, have registered and come out to sandbag at-risk properties today, including on Scotia Street and Glenwood Crescent. Minister of Education Peter Bjornson said today that he urges teachers and students to get out and help sandbag.

Additional volunteers are needed this evening to continue sandbagging efforts. Citizens wishing to volunteer are asked to contact 311 via phone (311 or toll-free 1-877-311-4WPG) or email 311@winnipeg.ca to register and be deployed to the areas of greatest need.